The legendary saga The Legend of Zelda was launched in 1986 in Japan, with a first installment released on NES. Based on various incarnations of Link, a young hero of the Hylian race, and Princess Zelda, descendant of the goddess Hylia, this series pits these protagonists against the evil warlord Ganon (or Ganondorf depending on the installment), who tries to seize the Triforce, a sacred artifact capable of fulfilling any wish. Set mainly in the fictional universe of the Kingdom of Hyrule, full of dungeons, quests, exploration and battles, the series has developed according to a complex chronology that splits into several branches, notably following the events narrated in Ocarina of Time.
Over the course of its development, the license totals 21 main titles on Nintendo's major consoles, as well as multiple spin-off installments: Majora's Mask, Oracle of Seasons/Ages, Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, then Breath of the Wild. The universe has also been the subject of adaptations, including an American animated series (1989), or a manga series produced in Japan starting with a first volume published in 1997. In 2026, the license will celebrate its 40th anniversary, further deepening its mark on video game history with this almost unprecedented longevity.
No games in this franchise yet.